Three things from the Seahawks’ preseason win over San Diego

The third preseason game is usually the most meaningful of the August schedule, which means the results are the most important. Not the final score per se, but what was seen on the field.

Here’s a look at some conclusions that can be drawn about the Seahawks after their 16-15 win over San Diego as well as questions that still have to be answered before the regular season starts.

O’Neil: Seahawks’ offense still off | Recap | Box score | Photos | Interviews

Three things we learned:

1. Seattle will have its most impactful rookie class since 2012.

The Seahawks won’t have three rookies starting like they did in Russell Wilson’s NFL debut, but Seattle’s top two picks in this year’s draft are going to make an immediate impression. Tyler Lockett scored for the second time in three preseason games, this time running back a punt 67 yards for the Seahawks’ only touchdown Saturday. Seattle’s return game – always a strength in Pete Carroll’s first four years – was a non-factor last season. That’s going to change. Meanwhile, Frank Clark has shown that he will be a versatile, valuable member of the defensive line who is capable of playing end in Seattle’s base defense and moving inside to tackle in pass-rushing situations.

2. K.J. Wright looks ready for his Pro Bowl leap.

The Seahawks’ ability to find talent throughout the draft has been rightly praised, and Wright – a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2011 – is one of those guys who could be considered a real find. But it’s not just Seattle’s ability to identify talent that should be praised, but the decisions on who to retain. For all the money Seattle has spent keeping players, there’s not one it has extended whose performance regressed after signing a new deal. Not Max Unger in 2012. Not Kam Chancellor in 2013. Certainly not Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas or Doug Baldwin a year ago. And judging by Wright’s preseason, during which he’s shown incredible explosiveness and the ability to get into the opponent’s backfield, Seattle’s weak-side linebacker might be recognized as one of the best linebackers in the league by the time this season is done.

3. Tharold Simon remains an important player for the Seahawks.

He played for the first time this preseason, returning from offseason shoulder surgery, and while Cary Williams continues to start, Simon showed that he can still cover the deep ball on the sidelines. He wasn’t as physical at the line of scrimmage as he had been, but knowing Simon and his penchant for getting his hands on opponents, that’s not a long-term concern. Simon’s got all the tools to be a cornerback in the mold of Brandon Browner. Now he just needs to be diligent about the details and keep from losing his temper on the field, and he could be that unflinchingly physical player who’s a perfect fit in Seattle’s secondary.

Three things we’re still trying to figure out:

1. Are the Seahawks expecting too much from Marshawn Lynch?

It’s weird to ask that question about a player who has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in four successive seasons in Seattle. But after each of the past two preseason games, coach Pete Carroll has mentioned the difference that Lynch will make for an offense that has been concerning so far. “Twenty-four in the game looks pretty good to me,” Carroll said after Saturday’s game in San Diego. “When he plays, that’s a little bit better. He’ll help those guys.” Carroll is right, but the fact that he’s right is concerning for two reasons: 1) It means Seattle is no closer to finding a successor to Lynch at running back. In fact, the Seahawks may be further away now that there’s two years of evidence that Christine Michael is too unreliable to play consistently; 2) The offensive line has taken a step back. Now, the Seahawks hope that regression is temporary and the team will be better off down the road, but right now, they’ve got two new starters, one player switching positions and a definite possibility that there will be challenges up front.

2. Who is going to be Seattle’s nickel cornerback?

In three games, the Seahawks have used three different players in that role with the first unit: Marcus Burley, rookie Tye Smith and this week veteran Will Blackmon. One of those guys is going to get the starting job, and one of them might lose a job in Seattle entirely. In fact, that might be the single biggest question mark for Seattle entering the final preseason game on Thursday. Burley filled that role last year when Jeremy Lane missed seven games with a groin injury, Blackmon is a veteran whose durability is a question after he has been slowed by a groin injury while Smith is a promising rookie whose lack of top-end speed is the only qualifier.

3. Is Seattle really going to blitz more this season?

That seems like a question every preseason, each year Carroll hinting that this might be the year the Seahawks dial up more pressures. In fact, he said exactly that after Saturday’s game in San Diego featured several blitzes, including a couple from safeties, which were effective. “This looks to be a team that may be (able to pressure) more than we’ve been to be able,” Carroll said. He was then asked if that was because of the mentality of new defensive coordinator Kris Richard or the specific personnel on this team. “I think it’s a little bit of both,” Carroll said. “I think Kris is a little more aggressive than we’ve been, which I love, and he’s playing to the strengths of the players by doing that.” Of course, we heard a similar theme when Dan Quinn took over as defensive coordinator only to have the regular season begin and Seattle continue to be one of the least blitzing teams in the league. We’ll have to wait and see if that’s the case again.

Related

FAA’s nationwide ground stop throws sports weekend into chaosUW-Michigan St. kickoff pushed back after Huskies’ travel plans disruptedFormer M’s 1B Jake Bauers inks big contract with Red SoxSeattle NBA expansion bid increasingly serious and aggressive, per reportSeahawks Injury Report: Multiple players to return vs RaidersBrock: The Seahawks player who needs a big game vs Raiders